Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- • Seconds Matter: Brain damage can start within 4–6 minutes of cardiac arrest. Without immediate CPR, survival odds drop fast — especially in the first critical moments.
- • First Aid Saves Lives When You Know What to Do: CPR can double or triple survival chances, but only if someone nearby is trained and confident enough to act.
- • AEDs Are Designed for the Public — But You Still Need Confidence to Use One: Basic training gives you the knowledge to recognise a defibrillator, turn it on, and follow the prompts without hesitation.
- • Emergencies Hit Close to Home: Most cardiac arrests happen in everyday places like homes, parks, or workplaces. You're more likely to help a loved one than a stranger.
- • Training Turns Fear Into Action: Bystanders knew what to do — and it made all the difference. First aid training gives you the confidence to step up, not stand back.
You Never Think It’ll Happen To You... Until It Does
Most people don’t expect to perform CPR at a child’s birthday party.
But that’s exactly what unfolded at a Perth park, as recounted by Professor Sandra Eades, Chief Medical Advisor for First Nations Health at the Heart Foundation.
Her 60-year-old brother collapsed suddenly during his granddaughter’s birthday celebration.
It was a regular afternoon that turned critical in seconds.
He had no history of heart issues — one moment he was enjoying the sunshine with family.
The next, he was unconscious with no pulse.
What followed was a remarkable group effort.
His family and complete strangers all worked together to keep him alive until emergency services arrived.
A Quick Recap of What Happened
A grandfather suddenly collapsed at his granddaughter’s birthday party.
He was unresponsive, not breathing, and had no pulse – a clear sign of cardiac arrest.
With no formal first aid training, his daughter jumped in and started chest compressions — guided only by what she’d seen on TV dramas like Grey’s Anatomy.
A bystander assisted by performing mouth-to-mouth.
Another family member called Triple Zero (000).
A nearby public defibrillator (AED) was located, but retrieving it was a challenge:
It was locked inside a cabinet.
The first two access codes failed.
The woman retrieving it had an asthma attack while running.
Her son had to run the last stretch and bring it back.
No one present knew how to use the AED — but bystanders helped apply it.
The first shock failed. The second shock worked — the man gasped and showed signs of life.
CPR continued until WA Police arrived and took over, followed by paramedics.
He was transported to hospital, underwent bypass surgery, and made a remarkable recovery without brain damage.
The Brutal Truth About Cardiac Arrest
These Are The Facts
Cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in Australia, with more than 27,000 cases occurring outside of hospitals every year.
Despite medical advancements, the national survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains around 10%.
[Australian Heart Foundation]
That’s a confronting number — but it’s the reality.
Why Is The Survival Rate So Low?
Delays in starting CPR: Every minute without CPR or defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by 7–10%.
[Ambulance Victoria]Limited access to defibrillators (AEDs): Fewer than 2% of patients receive a shock from a public access defibrillator before paramedics arrive.
[Resuscitation Journal]Bystander hesitation: Too many people simply don’t know what to do — or are too afraid to act.
[Monash University]
Immediate Action Makes A Difference
Across the country, we’ve seen what happens when bystanders step in.
In Victoria, public health campaigns and improved access to defibs have made a measurable impact — the survival rate for bystander-witnessed cardiac arrests is now 41%, among the highest in the world.
That success is linked to:
High rates of bystander CPR – performed in 79% of witnessed arrests.
Increased AED use – with 141 patients receiving a shock from a public defibrillator in a single year.
Over 7,500 AEDs now available in public places across Victoria.
Now imagine if those numbers weren’t the exception, but the standard across Australia.
We’d be talking about hundreds, even thousands of lives saved each year.
Because when it comes to cardiac arrest, it’s not luck that saves them — it’s people who know what to do.
Improving national awareness and access to quality first aid training is crucial.
Because the more Australians trained in CPR, the more lives we save. It’s that simple.
How Immediate Response Changed Everything
As first aid professionals, we see a lot of what should happen during these types of emergencies.
And while this family didn’t have professional training and first aid certificates, they ticked several life-saving boxes:
Immediate CPR: They didn’t wait. Chest compressions started right after the collapse.
Team effort: They rotated between compressions and breaths as they got tired — crucial for maintaining effective CPR.
Used an AED: Despite challenges retrieving it (wrong codes, asthma attack), they got the defib on scene and used it twice.
Called 000 early: Every second counts, and emergency services were already en route.
Help from strangers: A reminder that community response matters.
The Result?
Not only did he survive — he regained consciousness with no brain damage, an outcome that’s extremely uncommon after a cardiac arrest.
Brain cells begin dying within minutes without oxygen, so this kind of recovery only happens when CPR and defibrillation are started immediately.
Thanks to the quick responses from all involved, the patient was able to have successful bypass surgery and will be able to continue living a full life.
What Every Aussie Needs to Know
You don’t need to be a healthcare professional to save a life — but you do need to know what to do when it counts.
- CPR is critical. Studies show that starting CPR immediately can double or even triple the chances of survival after a cardiac arrest. Yet, according to the Heart Foundation, only about one in three Australians feel confident performing CPR when it really matters.
- AEDs (automated external defibrillators) are designed for everyone to use. They give clear, step-by-step voice instructions, making them accessible even to those without medical training. However, in a high-pressure moment, panic can easily take over. This is why practical training is so important — it helps build the confidence to act quickly and calmly.
- First aid is often performed on someone you know — not a stranger. Research shows people are much more likely to intervene for family members, friends, or colleagues. This means the person you help could be your parent, your best mate, or a coworker — someone close to you.
Knowing basic first aid isn’t just a nice skill to have — it’s a vital part of community safety that can directly affect the lives of people you care about.
Being prepared means you’re ready to step up when every second counts.
Doing Something Is Better Than Doing Nothing
One of the biggest reasons people don’t act in an emergency?
Fear.
Fear of making it worse.
Fear of “getting it wrong.”
Fear of being sued.
But here’s what every Australian should know:
You Are Legally Protected
In every state and territory in Australia, Good Samaritan laws protect people who help in good faith during an emergency.
That means if you try to assist — whether it’s CPR, calling 000, or grabbing a defib — you are not liable if things don’t go perfectly.
You won’t get sued for trying to save someone’s life.
Doing Nothing Is the Real Risk
Remember, when someone is in cardiac arrest, every minute that passes without CPR reduces their chance of survival by about 10%.
Waiting for an ambulance without starting CPR can be the difference between life and death — or permanent brain damage.
What To Do If Someone Collapses – A Simple Action Plan to Follow
If you ever witness someone suddenly collapse and become unresponsive, your actions in the first few minutes are absolutely crucial.
Here’s what to do — even if you’ve never done first aid training:
1. Check for Danger
Make sure the scene is safe for you and others.
2. Check for a Response
Tap their shoulders. Shout their name. If they don’t respond and aren’t breathing normally — assume it’s cardiac arrest.
3. Call Triple Zero (000)
Put your phone on speaker. Stay calm. The operator will guide you.
4. Start CPR Immediately
Push hard and fast in the centre of the chest.
Aim for 100–120 compressions per minute — that’s roughly the beat of Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees.
Keep going. Don’t stop.
5. Use an AED if Available
AED = Automated External Defibrillator.
Most shopping centres, schools, sporting clubs and public buildings have one.
Follow the voice prompts — they’re designed for untrained people.
Don’t be afraid: you can’t hurt someone by using it — but you could save their life.
6. Keep Going Until Help Arrives
Swap with someone else if you get tired.
Paramedics will take over as soon as they arrive.
A Note on Defibrillators (AEDs)
Don’t Panic — AEDs are Made For Everyday People
Most AEDs are fully automated, guiding you with clear voice instructions throughout the process.
You cannot accidentally shock someone; the device will only deliver a shock if it detects it’s needed.
AEDs are widely available in public places such as shopping centres, sporting grounds, gyms, libraries, schools, and airports.
Using an AED doesn’t require formal training, but it does require the confidence to step up and use it when it counts.
Final Word About Providing First Aid in an Emergency
This incident is a clear example of why early intervention matters — and why we need more people across Australia equipped with the knowledge and confidence to act.
The people involved weren’t health professionals.
They were family members and bystanders — under pressure and operating on instinct.
But they did exactly what we hope anyone would do in that situation: they acted.
They performed CPR.
They persisted in finding a defibrillator.
And because of that, a man survived — with his brain intact and his life ahead of him.
As a professional first aid trainer, I see how often people underestimate their ability to help in an emergency.
But this case proves that you don’t need to be a health professional to save a life — you just need to be prepared and willing to act
Get Government-Approved First Aid Training at a Location Near You!
In a cardiac emergency, every second matters — and it won’t be a paramedic who gets there first.
It could be you.
National First Aid Courses delivers accredited, hands-on training that prepares everyday Australians to step up when it counts most.
As a Registered Training Organisation (RTO 41072), we guarantee you will receive the highest standard of training.
With face-to-face instruction, same-day certificates, and convenient locations across New South Wales and Queensland (including Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast) we make it easy for you to become a certified First Aider.
Choose from our three most popular courses:
CPR (HLTAID009): Learn how to perform high-quality CPR and use a defibrillator.
First Aid (HLTAID011): Covers everything from the CPR course, plus how to treat bleeding, burns, choking, fractures and more.
Childcare First Aid (HLTAID012): Tailored for parents, educators, and carers.
Don’t wait for an emergency to realise you weren’t ready.
Enrol in one of our upcoming First Aid courses and secure your spot today!
Author Bio:
Jacqueline Lisa
Manager and Accredited First Aid Trainer at National First Aid Courses (NFAC)
With over a decade of experience in the childcare and aged care industries, Jacqueline has dedicated her career to applying her First Aid knowledge in real-world settings. As an accredited First Aid trainer and manager at National Courses PTY LTD, Jacqueline is committed to delivering nationally recognised First Aid and CPR courses across Australia. She combines her hands-on experience with a passion for teaching, empowering others with the critical skills needed to make a difference in emergency situations.
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